Public Arts and Culture Advisory Council

PUBLIC ARTS & CULTURE ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. Electronic Meeting Members Present: Steve Vinezeano – Niles VFW Post 3579 Janet Spector Bishop – School District 63 Lindsey Brubaker – Niles Park District Marina Samovsky – Photographer Susan Lempke – Niles-Maine District Library Barbara Karawacki – Niles Historical Society Alicia Bermes – Niles Chamber of Commerce Carol Luc - Artist Members Absent: John Kosirog – School District 71 Ed Eubank – School District 207 George Alpogianis – Niles Sister Cities Kathleen Gallegos – Artist/Art Station Studio Debi Gajewski – Artist Village Officials/Staff Present: Katie Schneider – Community Engagement Coordinator I. Call to Order: Lindsey Brubaker called the meeting to order electronically via Zoom audio/visual conferencing at 3:01 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. The electronic meeting is open to the public. The public may submit public comments in advance either by email, phone or voicemail. No public comment was submitted in advance of the meeting. II. Approval of Meeting Minutes Steve Vinezeano made a motion to accept the August 11, 2020 meeting minutes as presented. Janet Spector Bishop second the motion, all were in favor. None opposed. Minutes approved. III. Organization Representative Reports Katie Schneider (Village of Niles) – The Leaning Tower historic bells are now ringing on the hour at 9:00 a.m./12:00 Noon/3:00 p.m./6:00 p.m. every day beginning Labor Day weekend, the public is encouraged to visit. Marina Samovsky (Photographer) – She is back to photoshoots where allowed, Janet thanked Marina for her work with District 63 to photograph all the school buildings. Janet Spector Bishop (School District 63) – District 63 kicked off the school year August 20 and is all remote learning. They are now sending surveys to families and staff to monitor this new learning. Alicia Bermes - (Niles Chamber of Commerce) – The Chamber had its Golf Outing with 85 golfers, a virtual raffle and used dinner gift certificates to use at local restaurants instead of a formal dinner. Night of Roses will take place on October 16, most likely it will be virtual. Barb Karawacki (Niles Historical Society) – The St. Hedwig’s exhibit is near completion. It is an overview history of the orphanage with some individual stories from the children themselves. Many of children have passed away from old age so finding these people was very difficult. The museum is excited to be able to tell these stories. Steve Vinezeano (Niles VFW 3579) – No report. Susan Lempke (Niles-Maine District Library) – The Library is offering more outdoor programing right now, a Story Walkup at Nico Park was a success. The library opened its wall in the parking lot for a chalk drawing project. Lindsey Brubaker (Niles Park District) – All programs have been packed with attendance since people want to be outside. They are offering softball and baseball outside; inside sports have been cancelled. Fall sports will be limited – no leagues or competitions are allowed. Fall and Winter special events are up in the air. Carol Luc (Artist) – (arrived at the end of the meeting) and gave an update on teaching classes at Triton and the Niles Senior Center. IV. Niles Artisan Guild There was no representative from the Niles Artisan Guild, no report was given. V. Old Business a. Bus Benches – Katie has been working with Public Works on a better material so the artwork can last longer than two years. They are considering options that will give a 5-10 year life span. Material options range from $300-500 per bench. There are currently 15 benches. The Council agreed to offer the Bus Stop Art Bench program again in the winter to put new artwork on bus benches in the spring. We are looking for new artwork on each bench. Katie will have Pace Bus drivers look at locations in town and where we may need more benches. We may only need to replace artwork on some of the benches. Based on a quick inventory there are probably 5 benches that would last another year. The Council agreed to run the program when new benches need to switched out. Katie needs to collect measurements from a few other utility boxes and then submit for pricing. She will follow up for the next meeting. VI. New Business a. Promoting Art in Town – The Council discussed a matching grant program to encourage businesses to put artwork on their buildings particularly those in public places. The Council wants to continue to pursue a mural on the building facing the rain garden. The Council would want to make sure that we have a say in the content of the mural. Katie expressed concern that finding local artists continues to be a challenge, particularly for murals. The Council agreed to look outside of the area to attract artist to bring great, notable artwork into town. Fire hydrants would not be able to be painted with art since the Village just paid to have them all redone. Alicia offered to look into a partnership with businesses to sponsor an art parade similar to the Cows on Parade (or the Roses that were done in 2014). That could be a goal for 2021 summer. VII. Open Discussion There was no open discussion. VIII. Public Comment There was no public comment. IX. Next Meeting The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. It will be an electronic meeting. X. Adjournment Janet Spectator Bishop made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 3:37 p.m. Marina Samovsky second the motion, all were in favor. Meeting adjourned. Minutes submitted by: Katie Schneider, Community Engagement Coordinator